Mr. Yu Guangchong, one of the greatest poets in modern China, passed away yesterday at 90.  In memory of him, I venture myself into translating one of his masterpieces "當我死時", with great respect.  (How dare I?  Mr. Yu himself is an English-majoring graduate from NTU.  But I just couldnt help myself.)  Again, my translation is just a piece of translation, not an English poem, not even close.  

當我死時，葬我，在長江與黃河
之間，枕我的頭顱，白髮蓋著黑土。
在中國，最美最母親的國度，
我便坦然睡去，睡整張大陸，
聽兩側，安魂曲起自長江，黃河
兩管永生的音樂，滔滔，朝東。
這是最縱容最寬闊的床，
讓一顆心滿足地睡去，滿足地想，
從前，一個中國的青年曾經，
在冰凍的密西根向西瞭望，
想望透黑夜看中國的黎明，
用十七年未饜中國的眼睛
饕餮地圖，從西湖到太湖，
到多鷓鴣的重慶，代替回鄉。

When I die, bury me, rest my head, and cover my hoary hair with black soil at somewhere in between the Yangzi and the Yellow. 

In this heavenly Central Kingdom, the most beautiful and maternal land, I shall slumber away eternally, nestled against the whole, immense motherland, amid the everlasting requiems sung from both roaring, easterly rivers. I will be the most spoilt and pampered child who will have laid on this most spacious bed, which will let a contented soul rest and meditate forever. 

Time was when a Chinese young man tried to watch from frozen Michigan in westerly direction at night, hoping to see the dawn of China through darkness.  With his insatiable eyes devouring maps for seventeen years, he had travelled from West Lake to Great Lake, till partridge-swarmed Chongqing, as the odyssey of his homecoming.

P.S.  Reports said Mr.Yus another great poem "鄉愁" had been selected as a selection in elementary school or junior high both in Chinas Mainland and Taiwan.  But I really doubt it is still now in Taiwan.  BTW, may I suggest that bereaved Mrs. Yu, his families, and China government, working all together, to help Mr. Yu fullfil his will as wished in subject poem.